10 replies to this topic

[FrozenStar]

I'm writing this review at the request of PorscheSpyder.

I'll start with how I got to know about Portal first. I believe it was Sard that first told me about this game, I specifically remember him linking me to this video, however it didn't really get my attention at the time.

Then the subject of Portal was brought again in chat a few weeks ago as I was making my way through Alice Madness Returns, so I promised it'll be the next game I play.

And so I did and don't regret it one bit. I <3 this game. Even if shooters really aren't my thing, I gave this one a go since all I had to shoot were Portals, so it's harmless.

Portal 1

A no-brainer in my opinion, the puzzles are too easy. The test chambers are rather small and the tasks get repetitive after a while. Control threw me a bit off, since it feels a bit latent and aiming is a rather difficult tasks. Landings have to be precise. So I guess that compensates with the fact the puzzles are too easy. GLaDOS' voice accompanying you in between test chambers is the best part though <3
I've not finished this yet so I only know vaguely how the ending of it ties in with the story of Portal 2, which I'd rather no spoil for those of you who haven't played.

Portal 2

Compared to 1, it offers a lot more diversity and doesn't feel repetitive. It's still just you and your Portal gun for the most part of the game, but it's more than just a sequence of test chambers with the elevator ride in between.

You get to explore different areas of Aperture Laboratories, at one point having to get from the pit/dump/waste area you are thrown to, up to the core of the facility. And it's quite the adventure getting back!

The chambers throughout the facility come equipped with all sorts of new things meant to either challenge you or help you complete the tasks in order to advance, like spiral light transporters or different color gels with different uses, walking cubes (nasty little pests... one threw itself off a platform once. If was lulzy watching it fall, not so lulzy trying to get back to a starting point to get another) or crushers near the end.

There's a lot of "jumping through Portals to help get higher" action going on in Portal 2, but the controls are much friendlier and the aiming doesn't have to be as precise to guarantee a perfect result. If you shoot a Portal sideways from up high you will still fall perfectly through it, while in Portal 1 that is impossible. This is a major + on Portal 2 for me and one of the main reasons I like it best.

The storyline is pretty interesting too. It shows a softer side of GLaDOS compared to the meanie in Portal 1 and it reveals part of her past.

Would I recommend this game? Yes I would. I'd say skip 1 and go to 2, but in reality 1 is so short it could be considered an intro to 2. Worth playing to get used to the basics, as the tests in Portal 2 get progressively harder. But 2 is definitely #1 if we're talking about quality gaming.


End notes: Sorry there are no screens to go with this, but I got the request as I made my way towards the end of the game in the last chapter. So apologies for that.

Portal 2 Co-op

After having played Portal 2 co-op with Fasckira, Zaki and Sinister I am back with my review of the co-op mode.

For those who played the story version of Portal, you'd know that near the end, at the beginning of Chapter 9: The part where he kills you, Wheatley says he found 2 robot test subjects he was going to use and he didn't need Chell (and GLaDOS) to complete the test chambers for him anymore. The afore-mentioned test robots are the characters you get to play. You get a choice between Atlas (blue robot) and P-body (orange robot). I'm sure the coloring is intentional, to coincide with that of your portals in the singleplayer version. The starting point is the Hub, where you get different areas to explore, with up to 10 tests each. There's a total of 4 areas where specific tasks are included in each area (team building, velocity, excursion funnels and light bridges), though as you complete the 4th one, you are told by GLaDOS there's a 5th one (prominently requiring the use of gels) that will lead you to the vault where they keep the humans.

Co-op is a lot of fun, especially on the first run if you're playing it with someone who hasn't done co-op either because you're both just as clueless in some of the trickier chambers. You are definitely going to be killing each other (usually by accident) along the way, but that's part of the fun of playing co-op too. Best played with headphones so you can discuss strategies, but the game makes it easy enough without, by offering ways to time actions or point to your partner where his portals need to go.

[pepo930]

Now Play "Portal Prelude"

[LamboGTR]

Portal has been popular recently, I love the ending of part 2.

[Andrei XD]

So you say Portal 1 is a no-brainer, yet you haven't managed to finish it.

Also, do NOT skip Portal 1. Or else. You'll still think the cake is true. And you'll miss many story points that otherwise would become "WTF?!" moments in Portal 2.

Edited by Andrei XD, 04 August 2011 - 10:47 PM.

[PorscheSpyder]

Thank you for the review! I've seen this in Wal-Mart (next to Alice) and it looked interesting. So, essentially, it's a puzzle game, with a storyline? If so, that's right up my ally. I'll do a little more digging before I buy, though....

Edited by PorscheSpyder, 05 August 2011 - 03:05 AM.

[Fasckira]

Portal 2 is perfectly capable of being played without any knowledge of the first as it covers everything you need to know and doesnt make assumptions that you have played the first.

However, for the full experience its definetly adviseable to have played the first. It will give you a sense of the true rivalry between Glados and Chell (the main character) and explain a few small side things which are referenced in the second one, like the companion cube.

Theres also the fact that Portal 2's co-op story is supposed to be awesome, Im still waiting for someone to play it with though. I hope there wont be a third Portal though as I think anything else now would just mess up the storyline and experience.

[ZTR]

Portal 1 was a preety short game compared to Portal 2 but a good game nevertheless

Portal 2 is where all the fun begins with Wheatley and the Bounce and Speed gels and all

And Frozen personal i found that Portal 1 is HARDER compared to Portal 2

Thus Portal 2 is ONE of the BEST game of this year

[FrozenStar]

Andrei XD, on 04 August 2011 - 10:42 PM, said:

So you say Portal 1 is a no-brainer, yet you haven't managed to finish it.

Only because the control is stupid, but I guess you missed that. I'm at a part where I have to do a triple portal jump to get over a glass wall. Shoot in a pit, exit through a high up portal then shoot again underneath me to go through the portal I just came through but get a boost in height. Can't get it to shoot underneath me. It always shoots the portal next to the landing spot. Do you want me to draw it for you now?

[Fasckira]

FrozenStar, on 05 August 2011 - 11:30 AM, said:

Only because the control is stupid, but I guess you missed that. I'm at a part where I have to do a triple portal jump to get over a glass wall. Shoot in a pit, exit through a high up portal then shoot again underneath me to go through the portal I just came through but get a boost in height. Can't get it to shoot underneath me. It always shoots the portal next to the landing spot. Do you want me to draw it for you now?

Aye, I can recall the exact part you're on about too, its horrible. Thats why I was surprised the other night in chat when someone said Portal 2 was harder considering portal 2 has none of those insane fast-reflex tests! The only bit in Portal 2 I can think of is when Wheatley tries to crush you against the wall - the first one comes in front of you then nothing happens for like 10 seconds, and the game all but points out the white patch of wall to shoot your portal at.

[FrozenStar]

I think it's more difficult in terms of puzzles. You get more things to do. It's more than just "get cube - press button - exit". There's the different color gels, spiral transporter tubes that go 2 ways, etc. I feel that especially the 2nd half of Portal 2 was more challenging in finding the right solution. Only cause there's so much to do in one test chamber.

[FrozenStar]

I'll add co-op review after I've played a bit more. So far I'm mostly failing at it and F's doing all the work